World

Ahmadinejad Orders Inquiry Into ‘Suspicious’ Death Of Neda Soltan

by Yuliya Talmazan | June 29, 2009 at 12:45 pm

527 views | 54 Recommendations | 11 comments

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has ordered a special inquiry into the death of Neda Soltan, a young Iranian woman whose violent death on June 20 was captured on video that became viral on many social networks, sparking a lot of angry reactions worldwide.

The President sent a letter to the chief of Iran's judiciary, Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, requesting a serious investigation to help to identify and prosecute “the elements” behind the killing earlier this month.

Ahmadinejad called Neda Soltan's death a "heartbreaking incident," and said there have been many "fabricated reports" surrounding it. In order to avoid he "misuse" of Soltan's murder by "enemies of Iran," Ahmadinejad wants judicial authorities to investigate Soltan's death and "prosecute the elements behind [her] killing."

Iranian state television has said that Miss Soltan was not shot by a bullet used by Iranian security forces. It said filming of the scene, and its swift broadcast to foreign media, suggested that the incident had been planned.

In his letter to Ayatollah Shahroudi, Mr Ahmadinejad termed her death “suspicious,” the news agency IRNA said.

According to Press TV, Neda's death was considered "suspicious" after sources said she was killed by a small-calibre pistol, a weapon not used by Iranian security forces.

Last week, one of Iran's most powerful clerics, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said that protesters were responsible for the death of Neda.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

sara star

at 14:27 on June 29th, 2009

I hope the truth comes out.

The International Federation for Human Rights said yesterday that more than 2,000 people are still in detention and hundreds more are missing across Iran since a government crackdown on the opposition. Among those arrested are reformists, journalists and analysts, including supporters of Mr Mousavi and even some figures close to top officials, in a sign of cracks appearing within the regime over the election.

caj1

at 19:03 on June 29th, 2009

I also hope to know the truth.

Paschen

at 17:40 on June 29th, 2009

Hum, not sure how this will help now after the latest declarations from the religious leaders.

The_Cynic

at 18:02 on June 29th, 2009

It won't - all I can now see is more people ending up in jail or, worse, dead.

djermano

at 18:49 on June 29th, 2009

See what Democracy causes! Democracy causes death...

Rev. Jermano

Barbara McPherson

at 19:21 on June 29th, 2009

Our form of democracy works pretty well in Canada. In fact in a couple of days we will be celebrating Canada Day. Of course we have differences in our society, but we have learned to respect each other and work peacefully towards solutions to problems. Democracy is far from perfect, but it sure beats the other options.

djermano

at 06:37 on June 30th, 2009

I am sure Canada would have similar problems if it was being accused of making atomic bombs. And I do not think we have discovered all the options to make such a conclusion.

Rev. Jermano

djermano

at 06:41 on June 30th, 2009

I think Canada would have similar problems if it was being accused of making the atomic bomb. And I do not think we have discovered all the options to make such a conclusion.

Rev. Jermano